How do I prevent the Charlie Horses at night?

Mrs_Est11.11.06 · September 2011

they are so bad Crying

, anyone else experiencing this? Please share

mamacrunch · September 2011

My MIL is a nurse and swears by increasing your potassium and magnesium will help prevent cramps.

I haven't done much good on the magnesium bc I don't know what foods have that but I was eating the crap out of bananas and I didn't seam to get cramps, but since I stopped eating them I have been getting Charlie Horses and cramps in the bottom of my feet.

Good Luck! I hope you find the solution to your problem and if you do find something else that works please share!!!

luvmyducks · September 2011

I avoided stretching my legs. And if I did, I did it pointing my toes up, not down.

authorofdreamz · September 2011

Drink tons of water. The few nights I have had them have all been days where for whatever reason I didn't drink as much water as I normally do.

KGS2003 · September 2011

Bananas will help. It's lack of potassium and magnesium. As PP said just eats lots of bananas.

IEtoLA · September 2011

luvmyducks:
I avoided stretching my legs. And if I did, I did it pointing my toes up, not down.

This worked for me too.

Foolish5336 · September 2011

IEtoLA:
luvmyducks:
I avoided stretching my legs. And if I did, I did it pointing my toes up, not down.
This worked for me too.

I agree with these posters. It took a while for me to get out of the habit, because I would always stretch that way when I was half awake and half asleep, but man those cramps were enough to break me of the habit.

Holley+Day · September 2011

I started eating a banana before bed and stretching my calves before lying down. Pulling my toes up towards my knee and this really seemed to help me. I would get them so badly that I would be up trying to stand on my feet before I was even actually awake....it was a very painful and freaky way to wake up. GL

Junebug060609 · September 2011

My mom swears by bananas to help prevent muscle cramps (potassium). Chugging water should help as well just in case its dehydration cramping you up.

ellebelle2384 · September 2011

I agree with PPs about stretching habits - that seems to help me. Besides bananas you can also eat kiwis, which are high in potassium as well.

StaceyM06 · September 2011

My OB said to increase my potassium intake and to make sure I'm getting enough calcium. After waking up to 5 of those awful leg cramps, I always make sure to take one calcium supplement a day with my lunch or dinner!